Reply to "Racing Numbers"

Some,,,,,body is ready for that week in Vegas.
Not to worry Ron, it will all come together. It always does for those that try.

And if you need my help, I'd be there for you. You guys gotta know something about Ron. Sorry Ron, but I have always wanted to tell everyone on this board about you and who you really are for almost 4 years now.

I went to Rons house and spent 4 days with him almost 4 years ago. I helped him with some projects on his car. We had a great time and took in a car show in which there was 6 or 7 other Pantera's there. We HotRod'd around like Pantera's do. :-)) While I was there, my alternator went out. He took me to a friend that managed a Napa. I bought a 105 amp alternator for under 100.00 with the management discount with a lifetime warranty.

Doesn't end here.

On the way home from Albq. NM to Peoria AZ in my now monster, I had a mechanical fuel pump go out about 140 miles w. of albq. Bum F Nowhere. I'm on the side of the road, I-40, 2 AM at night, car jacked up, underneath with a florescence light plugged into the battery, Simi’s rolling by at 80+, 25 feet away.... and who drives 140 miles one way to bring me a fuel pump and another jack knowing he has to be in court at 8 AM in the morning while trying to help me fix my now real monster until 5 AM.

This, Mr. Ron Norman.

I'd be there for you in a minute Ron. It'll come together brother, if I have to come to Albq. and help you. You will be in Vegas this year with your car.

So guys, sorry for the long post, I sound like Ron now. But I've always wanted you all to know about Ron and what kind of guy he really is.

And they are, hard to come by.


>>I'm a patient guy when I know what to expect. My cat's on jack-stands now, my half shafts are off, I broke my buddies axle nut removal tool, 2 new axle nut tools are coming from Florida. I got a new brake upgrade kit after waiting four or five weeks, and after disputing with that guy because he priced the freight way lower than actuual cost, I made him hoonor the deal, but he decided since I got firm with him, he wasn't going to be nice and throw in the dual stage vacuum assist brake booster and master, since they weren't in the original ad. So, it goes, have to get things done, the brakes are what I wanted, but no instructions came, and then Jim helped me out with pictures. Looking at the rotor hats, mounting inboard, showed that if I wanted ventilated cross drilled slotted rotors, I better put them on now while it's coming apart. So I ordered them too, only they have to be custom machined, so add another two weeks from Oregon. And I'm waiting for new wheels and tires from a California vendor who doesn't sponsor this BB, after carefully considering his 5 spoke wheel deal, I went with 10 spoke wheels, which had to be made to order, but that was faster than 8 weeks delivery time for Simmons "F" style wheels, 16" front, 17" rear, plus no air leakage from 3 piece construction. The pieces all arrive next week, but I can put on the new clear front turn lenses this weekend and change the oil. Next weekend, it's slam-time, total focus and effort, and I'll get the new braided ZF hose installed while I'm making a mess. Then I have to go get a headlight relay installed, and over to the body shop to get a weld done on a crack on the rear part of the frame by the sway bar bracket. While I've got the old sway bar off, that's a good time to get the weld done, and weld on the steel jacking pads underneath, while I'm there. They'll probably want to keep it over-night, then another day too. Then install the 7/8" sway bar which couldn't ship because it had to get chromed 1st from the another Pantera vendor I like too. And so it's going to come up and down the jack stands a half dozen times before leaving for Vegas, and my 2005 Pantera budget is then shot, like over by $1,500 to $2,000, so I'll be taking in clients on weekends and happy to meet them at 7:00 AM or 10:00 PM all thru the rest of the year. Heck yes, it's worth it. Budget blown, I'll get out my tin snips and fabricate some aluminum underbody panels and try to find the best solution for air-shocks to lower and raise the cat. Another buddy, actually a competitor in business, had a heart attack and the doctor said it's because he didn't have a vacation for 15 years. I'm going on vacation to haul a.. around the track with you guys, 1st vacation in 13 years. Another competitor said he's never done anything like this in his life, but has always wanted to go to Sturgis on his Harley and take his Indian.
later, Ron 'aka' VFI[/QUOTE]